Te PiringaCascade Kauri, Waitākere Ranges Regional Park
Falls Road, Waitākere
Check for open and closed tracks and help protect our kauri
We have closed large sections of the Waitākere Ranges to prevent the spread of kauri dieback.
When you visit our parks, you need to clean your footwear and equipment to avoid transferring disease from one area to another.
Find open and closed tracks and read about protecting our kauri.
About Cascade Kauri, Waitākere Ranges Regional Park
Te Piringa / Cascade Kauri is nestled within the northern sections of the Waitākere Ranges. It is home to some of the oldest ranges and most precious stands of kauri.
Please note: Dogs are prohibited at Te Piringa / Cascade Kauri. Check the Dog walking tab for more information.
Access points throughout the park
The main access to the park is via Falls Road, off Te Henga Road.
Long Road (off Te Henga Road) provides access to the Montana Heritage Trail which connects to Falls Road, and to Pae o Te Rangi farm and campground.
Fenceline Track, the Montana Heritage Trail and Te Piringa Walk can be also accessed from Waitākere Dam, off Scenic Drive.
Book accommodation at Cascade Kauri, Waitakere Ranges Regional Park
Wāhi Whakanoa - cleansing place
This forest is a tapu (sacred) place and is protected by a rāhui.
In Māori tikanga (custom) it is important to spiritually cleanse oneself with water when entering and leaving such a place.
Please use the wāhi whakanoa at the entrance to the park for this purpose - press the button for water. Check the image gallery to see what it looks like.
Walking tracks at Te Piringa / Cascade Kauri
The track network has four different fitness levels. There are some shorter out and back trails on Te Piringa, and a 4.5 hour return loop on the Montana Heritage Trail.
Te Piringa Walk (also known as the Auckland City Walk)
This walk has an easy gradient and features a combination of wide boardwalks and compacted gravel trails. It is split into two sections (upper and lower) because a bridge in the middle was damaged during Cyclone Gabrielle due to subsidence.
The upper section of the walk passes a colossal dead kauri affected by kauri dieback disease. It leads to a boardwalk section and viewing platform in a kauri grove, where the path ends. This walk will take approximately 20 minutes return.
The lower section of the walk starts at the main car park at the end of Falls Road. Follow the river valley through majestic forest of kauri, kahikatea, rimu and tōtara. This walk will take approximately 40 minutes return.
Read more about these tracks, and find helpful resources and other essential information on the Plan My Walk website.
Montana Heritage Trail: Upper Kauri Track, Long Road Track, Fenceline Track
This track network forms the Montana Heritage Trail, which links to the Waitākere Dam or to Pae o te Rangi farm.
You can access the Montana Heritage Trail from the Lower Te Piringa Walk, via Upper Kauri Track, or via Fenceline track at the end of the lower Te Piringa walk.
To walk to Pae o te Rangi farm from the trail start at Falls Road car park is approximately 2 hours.
The return loop from Te Piringa to Waitākere Dam and back will take approximately 4.5 hours.
Read more about this trail, and find helpful resources and other essential information on the Plan My Walk website.
To Waitākere Dam via Upper Kauri
Start near the beginning of the Lower Te Piringa Walk.
Upper Kauri Track climbs up out of the valley on boardwalks through impressive stands of kauri, to Long Road Track. It will take approximately 1hour 30 minutes to reach Long Road Track.
Long Road heading Southeast, links to Fence Line Track which continues to Waitākere Dam, passes along the shore of the reservoir, and then descends back down to the far end of the Lower Te Pirenga Walk, which will return you to the main Falls Road car park.
To Waitākere Dam via Fenceline Track
You can also walk the Montana Heritage Trail in the reverse direction: From trail start at Falls Road, continue along to the barrier at the end of Lower Te Piringa walk and ascend the eastern section of Fenceline track to Waitākere Dam, then to Long Road Track, Upper Kauri Track back to Te Piringa and exit at the Falls Road car park.
Walking tracks in surrounding areas
Fairy Falls Track
This track is in the northern area of the Waitakere Ranges. Access the track from Scenic Drive approximately 500m south of Mountain Road.
You can park on Scenic Drive or at the Spraggs Bush car park. This is a popular track so parking will be limited during weekends and public holidays.
Read more about this track, and find helpful resources and other essential information on the Plan My Walk website.
Spraggs Bush Track
This 2km track is a peaceful walk through native forest. It has a mix of easy walking paths and gentle slopes, making it suitable for a range of fitness levels. Along the track you can enjoy the lush vegetation, towering kauri, fern-filled gullies and birdlife unique to the area.
The track sits between Scenic Drive and Turanga Road. Access Spraggs Bush from Scenic Drive approximately 50m north of Mountain Road.
You need to know
Animals
- Dogs, other animals and pets are prohibited at all Auckland Council regional parks' bookable sites and accommodation. The exception is registered aid dogs. You will need to advise our staff at time of booking if you have a registered aid dog for an exemption.
- Dogs are allowed in regional parks only as stated in the dog walking section. All other animals are prohibited at all times, unless you have a permit issued by Auckland Council.
Alcohol
- Visible and excessive consumption of alcohol is prohibited.
- We may ask you and your group to leave the park and terminate your permit.
Smokefree regional parks
- Our regional parks are smoke-free.
- Please observe this while staying on or using our regional parks.
Waste
All our regional parks are rubbish free. Take all rubbish and recycling with you when you leave.
Outdoor fires
It is illegal to light a fire outside in all public areas in the Auckland region.
Cascade Kauri, Waitākere Ranges Regional Park
Map of Waitākere Ranges Regional Park
Contact us to report a problem at this park.